Forsyth County Schools is home to five outstanding high schools(click here for a two-page fact sheet of each). Asyou read the 2017-18 Course Digest and study the course descriptions, you will see course sequences, grade level recommendations, and prerequisites. Teachers and counselors have provided this information based on academic success students have experienced in those content areas. This information can assist you in making decisions that will aid your child in achieving academic success.

Students must be enrolled in a Forsyth County high school during the school year they plan to participate in a graduation ceremony.

Students who complete graduation requirements and are no longer active enrollees will be offered an individual diploma presentation at each school site.

GACollege411, HOPE, and Georgia Virtual School

It is always best to contact your school counselor for specific questions about your academic planning and when considering enrolling in online courses; however, you can visit these websites for general information.

Fall registration is completed during the preceding spring, at which time all students meet with their advisors to select courses. Registration proceeds as follows:

Orientation

Registration information is discussed in student advisement, and subject selection sheets are distributed.

Academic Advisement

Students may discuss with their counselor, advisor, teachers, or parents/guardians course selections based on academic performance, future goals, and graduation requirements.

Schedule Changes and Course Offerings

Student-initiated schedule changes for 2016-2017 will be completed by the end of the first full week of school. After this time, no schedule changes will be made. Schedule changes made during the initial days of the new school year are based on the following criteria ONLY: (a) student has empty period in his/her schedule; (b)student has received credit for the course listed; (c) student has not met the pre-requisite; (d) student needs specific course to meet graduation requirements; (e) administration adjusts class sizes.

Only those courses for which there is adequate enrollment and/or faculty will be of­fered in the upcoming school year. Courses, numbers of sections, and staff assignments are determined on the basis of need; it is imperative, therefore, that students determine which courses are required for graduation. Each high school reserves the right to cancel, without prior notification any course listed in this guide and/or rearrange any prescribed course sequence, and make schedule changes for the purpose of leveling class size.

Special Programs

Special Education

In-County: In order to receive Special Education services, students must meet Georgia eligibility requirements. Each disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) has specific criteria that must be met for eligibility. Once a student is deter­mined to be eligible under IDEA, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created and Special Education services begin. Student IEPs transfer from other schools in Forsyth County.

Out-of-County: In order to receive Special Education services, parents and/or guardians should contact the Forsyth County Special Education Department. Parents of the transferring student must provide a current IEP or sign a release of records form so that the high school may obtain current information. To determine appropriate services, all records will be reviewed by FCS Special Education personnel and an IEP committee.

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

English to Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) provides opportunities to acquire proficiency in English while continuing to learn content-specific skills. The Transition Services Office, located in the Almon C. Hill Center, at 136 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040 (678-947-0274) provides initial assessment services for high school students. The Hill Center also reviews international student transcripts and advises on course placement for newcomers to Forsyth County Schools. Please click here for ESOL information in the Course Digest.

Honors/Horizons (Gifted and Talented)

Any student who is currently enrolled in the gifted program in a Forsyth County school is eligible for gifted services. Any student who is in a gifted program from another Georgia school is eligible as soon as the high school receives the appropriate documentation from the student’s former Georgia school. Any student who was in a gifted program from another state must be evaluated and possibly tested for Georgia Gifted eligibility. Please contact the Gifted Coordinator for details. Please click here for gifted program information in the Course Digest.

Advanced Courses and College Credit

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are postsecondary-level classes which are provided at high school in the course of a regular school day. Many colleges and universities award either course credit or possibly exemption from certain required coursework. Not all postsecondary institutions honor AP exam credit, however, each college or university has its own standards by which it weights AP coursework taken in high school. Students are advised to check with the respective institution for details on its AP course and exam policies. AP examinations are conducted in May of each year, and students who take AP exams are responsible for paying AP examination fees (approximately $85 per exam) un­less Georgia State legislature provides funding. Please click here for more information.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Forsyth County Schools' IB program is located on the campus of South Forsyth High School, and it open to all Forsyth County high school-age students. The IB program incorporates a rigorous curriculum which provides perhaps the most thorough preparation for university-level study available. IB teachers strive for a shared academic experience emphasizing critical thinking and exposure to a variety of viewpoints that fosters tolerance and intercultural understanding among our students.To prepare for the IB program , which begins in the 11th grade, students are strongly encouraged to begin taking appropriate coursework in the ninth grade.Please click here for more information.

Transition Career Partnerships: Dual Enrollment

Transition Career Partnerships (formerly Education Career Partnerships) is designed to prepare students for college and career opportunities leading students to postsecondary institutions for an industry recognized certification or licensure, an associate and/or higher college ​​​degree, and successful employment. Dual Enrollment is a program for students in grades 9-12 who qualify to participate. Students may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis as a dual enrollment student and take college courses. Students will receive high school and college credit simultaneously when attending and passing approved college classes. Forsyth County Schools has active partnerships with both the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College in regards to opportunities for Dual Enrollment (among many other institutions). Click here for more information on recent changes to dual enrollment and here for local system information!

Career, Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE) Pathways

Career Pathways are state-approved career enhancement programs defined as a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career-related courses starting in the ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, and/or an industry-recognized certificate or licensure, and/or a baccalaureate degree and beyond. Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) provides students with the opportunity to select at least three sequenced courses in a career pathway. Georgia’s Career Clusters allow students to choose an area of interest in high school from the 17 clusters listed below. Students take classes tailored to their cluster, which helps them navigate their way to greater success – no matter what they choose to do after high school graduation. Each cluster will include multiple career pathways. The aim of the program is to show students the relevance of what they’re learning in the classroom, whether they want to attend a two-year college, a four-year university or go straight into the world of work. Students will begin to learn about potential careers in elementary and middle school so that they are ready to choose a pathway once they reach high school. Georgia’s initiative is based on the National Career Cluster Model.

Pathway options for students:

Career Pathways: A series of 3 or 4 specified courses are in a CTAE-approved pathway. Georgia’s 17 Career Cluster/Pathways provide a structure for organizing and delivering quality Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs. Modeled after the National Career Clusters configuration utilized by most of the United States, Georgia’s 17 Career Cluster/Pathways Model represents approximately 96 career pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career. As an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction, the 17 Career Clusters provide essential knowledge and skills for the students’ career pathways.

Advanced Academic Pathway: An Advanced Academic Pathway may be followed in any of these four content areas: ELA (English/Language Arts), mathematics, science or social studies. A student has completed an Advanced Academic Pathway in ELA, mathematics, science, or social studies when the criteria described below have been met.

Fine Arts Pathway: A Fine Arts Pathway may be followed in any of these five areas of study: visual arts, theater, dance, music, or journalism. A student has completed a Fine Arts Pathway when three courses, from visual arts, theater, dance, music, or journalism, have been successfully completed in any one of the five areas.

World Language Pathway: A World Language Pathway may be followed in any of the world language areas included in the state list of approved courses.

Selection of a pathway is based on self-awareness and the investigation of occupations plus related educational levels aligned with the pathway. Most high-demand, high-skilled, high-wage occupations in all concentrations still require education beyond high school.

Using these pathways, students may plan their four-year high school program, select courses that provide appropriate preparation and instruction for their career area, and set goals for their post-secondary training.For more information, click here.

Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.